Periodontal Gum Disease

Periodontal (gum) diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis,
are serious infections that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss.
The word periodontal literally means “around the tooth.” Periodontal
disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and
bone supporting the teeth.

Periodontal disease can affect one tooth or many teeth. It begins when
the bacteria in plaque (the sticky, colorless film that constantly
forms on your teeth) causes the gums to become inflamed.

The main cause of periodontal disease is bacterial plaque, a sticky,
colorless film that constantly forms on your teeth. However, factors
like smoking, genetics, pregnancy, stress, diabetes and poor nutrition
can also affect the health of your gums.

Causes of bad breath include waste materials created by bacteria in
the mouth, between the teeth and in the fissures of the tongue. When
these bacteria feed, they release gaseous waste products that cause
foul-smelling odors known as Volatile Sulfur Compounds or VSCs. If you
sometimes suffer from “not-so-fresh” breath you’re not alone. Most
people get bad breath sometime and are in need of bad breath
treatment.